How to Save on House Removals
The cost of a house or flat move is based primarily on the amount of work involved and the distance covered. There are sometimes other costs, such as packing services or dismantling furniture, but the main factors are volume and distance.
Nothing can be done about the distance of your new home from your old one, but you can reduce the cost of your move by reducing the number of items to be moved. It is not uncommon for customers to ask the removal crew to put specific items in the garage of their new premises, so they can dispose of them later.
This seems like a waste of money, not just because there is often value in the items thrown away, but because the customer has paid to have those items moved. So, the biggest money saving tip is this; If you don’t want something, give it away before you move, so you’re not paying to move it. This seems logical and straight-forward, but can add to your already busy schedule. So here are some ideas. It may be worth checking with family or friends, to see if they want the items you want to dispose of.
Or you may want to sell the items on eBay or to a local second-hand shop. Whether you choose to donate to charity, give to family/friends, or sell your unwanted items, the best time to do it is before you ask the removals company to give you a quote.
Note: If you decide to throw the goods away, it is cheaper to do it yourself than to ask your remover to do it for you. Most waste disposal facilities will charge a business for disposal, but it’s usually free to the general public.
The next tip is to buy your boxes directly from the removals company. There are two good reasons for this. Removals companies buy boxes in bulk, so can sell them for a fraction of the usual retail price. Secondly, removals boxes are stronger than standard boxes that you might get from a supermarket.
Cheap, flimsy boxes will not provide adequate protection and can cause problems with stacking on the vehicle. Use a company that gives a detailed quote. Hidden extras can ramp up the price, so get a written quote and take the waiting time waiver if offered. It is unfortunate that many house moves are held up at the delivery address, by late exchanges, handover of keys or other reasons.
When this happens, it is standard practice to charge the customer waiting time. A waiting time waiver can protect you from having to pay several hours of waiting time. Consider taking insurance through your remover. Specialist insurance is not expensive and offers the best cover. See Should I Buy Removals Insurance?
